CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 3: Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues - NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 3, 'Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues', NCERT Solutions, offers a deep dive into the life and archaeological journey of the young pharaoh, Tutankhamun. These solutions meticulously address key aspects of the chapter, exploring the rationale behind the repeated scientific examinations of Tut's mummy and the historical controversies surrounding Howard Carter's groundbreaking discovery. Students will find detailed explanations on the intricate challenges involved in preserving the fragile mummy and the profound significance of the opulent treasures interred with the king. The solutions also shed light on the reasons behind Tutankhamun's name change and the influential actions of his predecessor, Akhenaten. By engaging with these comprehensive answers, students can effectively build a strong historical understanding and a nuanced appreciation of the chapter's narrative, significantly enhancing their exam readiness and analytical skills.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English Hornbill |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for 'Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues' (Chapter 3) for Class 11 English (Hornbill). This chapter explores the historical significance and ongoing research surrounding King Tutankhamun's mummy. The solutions cover key aspects like the reasons for scrutinizing the mummy, the methods and controversies of archaeological investigations, and the cultural and religious context of ancient Egyptian burial practices. It aims to enhance students' comprehension of the text and its historical implications.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the reasons for the repeated examination of King Tut's mummy.
- Analyze the controversies and methods used in Howard Carter's investigation.
- Explain the challenges in preserving ancient artifacts like King Tut's remains.
- Comprehend the ancient Egyptian beliefs regarding death and the afterlife.
- Identify the historical context behind King Tut's name change.
- Evaluate the actions of Akhenaten as described in the text.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- King Tutankhamun's mummy
- Archaeological investigation methods
- Howard Carter's expedition
- Preservation of ancient artifacts
- Ancient Egyptian burial customs
- Beliefs about the afterlife
- Akhenaten's religious reforms
- Significance of royal treasures
- Historical context of Tutankhamun's reign
- Textual comprehension of 'Discovering Tut'
Important topics
- Reasons for scrutiny of Tut's mummy
- Howard Carter's methods and their consequences
- Challenges in mummy preservation
- Ancient Egyptian beliefs about afterlife and wealth
- Akhenaten's impact and Tutankhamun's restoration
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Q. 1 A
King Tut's body has undergone repeated scrutiny primarily because it is the world's most famous mummy. Beyond the allure of his gold-plated face and the treasures within his tomb, there has always been a deep fascination and mystery surrounding the young ruler's untimely death. This curiosity, coupled with ancient beliefs about a pharaoh's curse affecting those who disturb their resting place, has fueled continuous examination of his remains.
Q. 1 B
Howard Carter's investigation, conducted in the 1920s, was met with resentment because his methods for examining King Tut's mummy were considered unscientific and caused significant damage. In an effort to separate the mummy from its solid gold coffin, Carter resorted to methods that harmed the remains. Furthermore, he did not adequately study the mummy to determine the cause of death, focusing more on the extraction of the gold.
Q. 1 C
Howard Carter had to resort to chiseling away the solidified resins because the mummy had become fused to the bottom of the solid gold coffin. The resin, likely used as an adhesive or preservative, had hardened over centuries, effectively cementing the king's body in place. Conventional methods, including placing the coffin in the intense heat of the Egyptian sun to melt the resin, proved ineffective, leaving chiseling as the only option to separate the remains.
Q. 1 D
Tut's body was buried with a wealth of gold and other precious treasures because of the ancient Egyptian belief system. During that era, royalty and wealthy individuals believed that they could carry their earthly possessions with them into the afterlife. These treasures were intended to serve them and signify their status in the next world.
Q. 1 E
The young pharaoh changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun as a significant religious and political statement. This change signified his intention to restore the traditional polytheistic religion, particularly the worship of the god Amun, which had been suppressed by his father, Akhenaten, who had promoted the worship of the sun disk, Aten. The new name reflected a return to the old ways and the restoration of Amun's prominence.
Q. 2 A
Ray Johnson described Akhenaten as "wacky" due to several radical actions he took during his reign. These included promoting the worship of Aten, the sun disk, above all other gods, including the traditional chief deity Amun. He also changed his own name from Amenhotep to Akhenaten, signifying his devotion to Aten, and moved the capital city from Thebes to a new site called Akhetaten.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the reasons for scrutiny with the methods of investigation.
- Underestimating the difficulty of separating the mummy from the coffin.
- Misinterpreting the significance of treasures buried with royalty.
- Failing to connect Akhenaten's actions to Tutankhamun's reforms.
Revision tips
- Focus on the 'why' behind each event mentioned in the questions.
- Pay attention to the specific challenges faced by archaeologists like Howard Carter.
- Understand the cultural beliefs that influenced burial practices.
- Connect the actions of Akhenaten to the subsequent changes under Tutankhamun.
- Review the vocabulary related to archaeology and ancient history.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Why was King Tut's body subjected to repeated scrutiny?
Explanation: The mummy's fame, the allure of its golden mask, and the mystery surrounding the young ruler's early demise led to continuous examination.
Q2. What was the primary reason for resentment towards Howard Carter's investigation?
Explanation: Carter's investigation in the 1920s was criticized for using unscientific methods that resulted in damage to King Tut's body while trying to separate it from the golden coffin.
Q3. What substance had cemented King Tut's body to the coffin, requiring chiseling?
Explanation: The body was cemented to the bottom of the coffin by solidified resin, which was so hard that even extreme heat could not melt it, necessitating chiseling.
Q4. Why were gilded treasures buried with King Tut?
Explanation: Ancient Egyptians, especially royalty and the wealthy, believed they could take their riches with them to use in the afterlife, hence the burial with treasures.
Q5. What prompted the boy king to change his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun?
Explanation: The name change indicated a restoration of the old gods and traditions that his father, Akhenaten, had tried to dismantle, signifying a return to the worship of Amun.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3, 'Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues'?
These solutions focus on understanding the text by providing detailed answers to questions about King Tutankhamun's mummy, the archaeological process of its discovery and examination, and the historical context surrounding his life and death.
Why is Howard Carter's investigation of King Tut's tomb discussed in detail?
Howard Carter's investigation is discussed because it was a significant event in archaeology, highlighting both the triumphs of discovery and the ethical and methodological challenges faced when dealing with ancient remains.
What do the solutions explain about the treasures buried with King Tut?
The solutions explain that the treasures were buried according to ancient Egyptian beliefs, where the deceased, especially royalty, were expected to carry their wealth into the afterlife for use there.
How do these solutions help students prepare for exams?
By providing clear, rewritten answers that explain the reasoning behind each point, these solutions help students grasp complex historical and archaeological concepts, improve their comprehension skills, and prepare for textual analysis questions.
What does the chapter reveal about Akhenaten?
The chapter touches upon Akhenaten's actions, such as promoting the worship of the sun disk (Aten) and changing his name, which were significant religious and political shifts that King Tutankhamun later reversed.
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